Alfredo Reinado evadiu-se de uma prisão de Díli a 30 de Agosto de 2006. No final de Fevereiro deste ano, os órgãos de soberania timorenses autorizaram uma operação de captura do ex-comandante da Polícia Militar, na sequência do assalto a dois postos de polícia de fronteira no distrito de Maliana, oeste do país.

This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

Monday, 18 June 2007

The security situation across the country has generally been calm.

Today in Dili, UNPol conducted 40 patrols and were required to attend only one incident, a traffic accident in which nobody was injured.

Yesterday in the capital, a Formed Police Unit responded to reports of rock throwing in Tasi Tolu, where six men were drunk and throwing rocks at passing vehicles. The Formed Police Unit dispersed the group using tear gas. One UNPol vehicle was slightly damaged in the process. Separately, UNPol received reports of a detainee escaping from Dili Watch House yesterday. He had been arrested on 17 June 2007 on various charges. All police patrol units have been alerted to be vigilant and to apprehend the detainee upon sight.

Yesterday in Liquica, UNPol received reports of fighting in Lebuae between two gangs. Police arrested seven suspects and the situation is now calm. Witnesses claim that one person was injured in the fighting, although his injuries are not thought to be serious.

In Oecussi, PNTL arrested a suspect who was causing a disturbance in Padiae village after his motorbike broke down crossing the Tono river. Separately, one man received minor injuries after another man assaulted him in Cruz village. The two had been arguing over trespassing cows.

Campaigning continues across the country today. Ten political rallies were scheduled to take place, and as yet there have been no reports of any associated security incidents. Similarly, there were no reports of any incidents in connection with yesterday’s campaigning.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Report any suspicious activities and avoid traveling the areas affected by disturbances. Call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste

Dili – General Secretary and spokesperson of CNRT, Dionisio Babo Soares today denounced Fretilin plans to spend Oil revenue on Military assets when the people of the country are still internally displaced, and some still traumatised.

The military now needs urgent attention after five years of Fretilin neglect, but this needs to be done through a proper process of consultation, such as the security sector reform programme, that the UNMIT is mandated to support in keeping with Security Council resolution 1704.

In a statement given to the Australian newspaper yesterday, Fretilin Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva endorsed spending on military development and called for military autonomy on procurement. This is irresponsible for a Government that has been opposed to using revenues to relieve the suffering of the people by establishing a social security system including pensions for the veterans and their families. It is irresponsible for a Prime Minister of Eight weeks to unilaterally decide that the revenues can be spent in a way that won’t relieve the poverty and suffering especially without a clear defence policy.

Soares stated, “While CNRT fully backs a reinvigorated F-FDTL to assist in the stabilisation and rebuilding of our nation, and to serve our nations’ overall defence priorities, how can any party in good faith stand and claim it is in the best interests of the people to spend our oil revenues on military procurement rather than meeting the priorities to fight poverty. “We agree on the need to train and modernise the F-FDTL and develop it into a highly trained, professional and respected military force, but military procurement must be done within a framework of a national defence policy, which Fretilin has neglected to develop during its five years in Government.

“We need to use the Oil revenues to invest in housing, education, the provision of water and electricity, to deliver healthcare and food to all the people of Timor Leste. We need to use the oil revenues to help our people to help themselves and develop a sustainable economy and a prosperous future for our nation.

“Fretilin repeatedly point to their economic record as a model example, and criticise opposition parties for a ‘reckless’ approach to the Oil Fund, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In actuality, if you take away Oil revenues and foreign aid, our economy has in fact shrunk over Fretilin’s Five-year tenure of irresponsible Government.

“Our agricultural industry is non existent, rice paddies lie deserted as Fretilin have failed to implement an effective agriculture policy to facilitate the collection and distribution of local produce, instead relying on imports. This is not acceptable when many go without food.

“Government departments have failed to spend allocated budgets across the board, resulting in a lack of improvements in roads, in electricity, in access to potable water, in healthcare. Our Schools do not have adequate infrastructure, the people do not have access to adequate healthcare – this is due to Fretilin’s lack of ability to execute on their grandiose plans. Yet now it seems they have more.

“CNRT stands for change. That change is a change in Government thinking and action, and a change in approach to solving the issues that our citizens face on a daily basis. We need to set about developing an actionable plan to rebuild our nation from the ground up, getting all citizens of all districts involved and engaged in the process.

We need to establish an economy that is not reliant upon Oil and Gas revenues and foreign aid. We need to restructure our Government, our judicial and social systems and put an end to the suffering of the people. Then, and only then, can we start to look to the future with our heads held high.”

Wideform Timor – Leste secured its first property with the signing of a state property lease between the Government of Timor – Leste, represented by the Ministry of Justice & Estela Ferreira, Managing Director of Wideform Timor – Leste (East Timor). Wideform has been working closely with Prime Minister Dr Jose Ramos Horta and his senior advisers to identify and address much needed property development in the heart of Dili. This first property development will be known as the Vision project and will be an 11 storey mix-use development incorporating retail, offices, residential accommodation and car-parking. In the coming weeks, the site will have hoardings erected, and the existing building demolished. "

"Horta has given Wideform Group the area behind Cristo Rei!!! In exchange Wideform Group is bankrolling CNRT's campaign. Wideform Group financed Horta's campaign ensuring that a professional website is created and maintained, paying for Horta's PR team, etc"

CNE President Faustino Cardoso Gomes said that the CNE has obtained technical and logistical support from UNMIT to facilitate arrangements for the parliamentary elections on 30 June.

Mr. Cardoso also mentioned that the CNE has received a total of US$175,158.00 from the Government. (STL and TP)

Horta asks CNE to be impartial and independent

President José Ramos-Horta called on the CNE to maintain its independence and impartiality during the legislative elections.

“CNE’s impartiality is very important for the people and the development of democracy in the country,” said Mr. Horta at a workshop held by the CNE on Friday (15/6) in Dili. (STL)

LABEH: PDHJ should investigate the corruption case

The Director of Lalenok ba Ema Hotu (LABEH), Christopher Henry Samson, said that Human Rights and Justice Provedor (PDHJ) should investigate the alleged corruption case in Xanana Gusmão’s cabinet during his term as President. (TP)

Horta meets Alfredo’s men and petitioners

President José Ramos-Horta met with Alfredo’s men and the petitioners on Saturday (16/6) in Fatuberliu, Manufahi.

The objective of the meeting was to find ways to resolve the problems of the petitioners and PNTL members who fled Dili during last year’s crisis. (TP)

Fugitives are ready for dialogue

The former Commander of the military police, Maj. Alfredo and the petitioners’ spokesperson, Gastão Salsinha, reportedly declared that they would both be ready to come down to Dili and negotiate on behalf of their supporters. (TP)

Fretilin rejects Australian criticisms

At a press conference held on Sunday (17/6), Fretilin said the Australian government's criticism of a plan to develop Timor's defence force amounted to political interference during the run-up to the parliamentary elections scheduled at the end of the month. Fretilin rejected these criticisms as they violate Timorese sovereignty. (DN and STL)

SRSG: “PNTL should be the professional”

SRSG Atul Khare stated on Thursday (14/6) at the UNMIT Headquarters in Dili that UNMIT wants to establish a professional and responsible police force.

“We want the PNTL to be a force that is effective, efficient, responsive, accountable and non-partisan. There are about 898 police officers who are now back on duty in Dili,” said the SRSG. (DN)

Jose: “Dialogue with Alfredo should not be delayed”

The Executive Director of the HAK Association, Jose Luis Oliveira, said that the Government should initiate the dialogue with Alfredo Reinado Alves and his men in order to solve the problem promptly. (STL)

East Timor's President Jose Ramos Horta says he is preparing to pardon or reduce the sentences of an unspecified number of prisoners jailed in the tiny nation.

But he is yet to decide the fate of a controversial new law which could lead to amnesties for thousands of other offenders who committed crimes in the past year.

East Timor's parliament last week quietly passed the law, which offers clemency for a swag of crimes.

They include "larceny and "trickery", crimes against state security, firearms offences, theft or property damage under $10,000, and traffic offences committed between April 20, 2006 and April 30 this year.

Dr Ramos Horta has 30 days in which to sign off on the bill, or refer it to the Court of Appeal for a decision on its constitutionality.

"I'm not in a hurry," he told AAP.

"If I have any doubt about its constitutionality I will send it to the Court of Appeal before I make a decision.

"I haven't had a chance to study it and I'm awaiting legal opinion from my legal advisers and awaiting opinion from the church.

"I do not support amnesty for serious crimes or crimes against humanity, this would be inconsistent with the international law.

"But I have in my own presidential prerogative, (the power to) ... pardon individuals who have already served a number of years in prison and who have shown good behaviour, and I intend to do so in the next few days."

Ramos Horta said he would chose candidates for either pardons or sentence reductions from a list supplied by the Justice Minister and the prison system.

But he said the pardons were quite "separate" from the new amnesty law.

East Timor's government has said the law will help the country move forward from last year's crisis of violence, with prosecutors grappling with thousands of cases in the fledgling country's justice system and prisons "bursting at the seams".

Ramos Horta said the idea was legitimate, "as long as we don't make a mockery of justice by releasing anyone and everyone just because we have a backlog (of cases)".

But analysts fear the law could spark new tensions in the nation, particularly if jailed former government minister Rogerio Lobato is among those to be released.

In a new report, think-tank the International Crisis Group said the new clemency law was "apparently intended especially for Rogerio Lobato," who in March was convicted of murder and distributing weapons to civilians during last year's crisis.

"According to Mudansa (Fretilin Reform group) members, Lobato agreed to take the blame for the distribution of weapons in 2006 on condition that he would be amnestied," the report says.

"If he is amnestied, it may have implications for attempts to prosecute others accused of involvement in the 2006 violence."

Ramos Horta disagreed.

"I do not think so, there are many other people involved in the violence in 2006 - I do not believe it was specifically created for Mr Rogerio Lobato."

Nor would he speculate about whether the law could aid the surrender of East Timor's most-wanted fugitive Alfredo Reinado, who has evaded capture by Australian troops since escaping from a Dili prison last year.

"We are very supportive of a peaceful resolution of the issue of Mr Reinado on the condition he surrender himself to justice," Ramos Horta said.

East Timorese President Jose Ramos Horta says he wants a man-hunt for fugitive rebel leader Major Alfredo Reinado called off.

The hunt was launched by Australian-led peacekeepers and the Government after Reinado and his men attacked several border police outposts and fled with dozens of weapons.

Dr Ramos Horta has told Radio Timor Leste he and the country's Attorney-General met with a follower of Reinado, identified as Susar, in Manufahi district, south of Dili.

"I do not want to see any Timorese being afraid, hiding and running in the forest, being hunted by international troops like animals," Dr Ramos Horta said.

"If there's a problem, I will come to the mountains, forests and valleys for dialogue and find a solution."

He said he would meet with caretaker Prime Minister Estanislau Da Silva, United Nations mission chief Atul Khare, peacekeepers and UN police to find a way to halt the operations.

Susar told Radio Timor Leste that Reinado's group was ready to enter into a dialogue.

"But the international troops need to go away first so we can solve this problem," he said.

Reinado has repeatedly said he would surrender to authorities if the military operations were called off.

Australian-led troops attacked his mountain hide-out in March, killing five of his armed supporters in a failed offensive.

Dr Ramos Horta said in April, when he was prime minister, that he wanted the hunt called off.

Reinado, who commands support from frustrated groups from East Timor's west, was among about 600 soldiers who were sacked after deserting the Army last year over claims of discrimination because they came from the west.

In street violence involving the Army, police and youth gangs that followed, at least 37 people were killed and another 150,000 displaced.

Australian-led international peacekeepers were dispatched to restore security.

In the past five years we have rebuilt more than 900 schools. TV coverage is now extended to most of the country, and telephone coverage now extends to most of the 13 districts. It's not world-class communications, but it works compared with a few years ago. Health coverage is far better than in 2002."

'I'll be a moral force because i know many people look up to me. They listen.'

By Joe Cochrane

Newsweek International

June 25, 2007 issue - Ten years ago, José Ramos-Horta was a painful pebble in Indonesia's shoe. The charismatic East Timorese intellectual earned a Nobel Peace Prize by trolling the halls of power in dozens of capitals around the world, telling anyone who'd listen that the former Portuguese colony was under a savage occupation. Now he's the establishment: last month, he was sworn in as the second president of independent East Timor (also known as Timor Leste). On June 4 he made his first state visit­to former foe Indonesia, which is now his friend and neighbor. NEWSWEEK's Joe Cochrane spoke to Ramos-Horta in his hotel suite overlooking Jakarta. Excerpts:

COCHRANE: What's the significance of making Indonesia your first presidential visit, given its brutal occupation of East Timor from 1975 to 1999?

RAMOS-HORTA: I always place enormous importance on our relationship with Indonesia since the changes that occurred in 1999­changes for the better. Ever since, I have made every effort to normalize and gradually cement relations with our giant and powerful neighbor.

Given the history, is it difficult to come here and be friends?

Thousands of Timorese lost their lives, but so did many young Indonesian soldiers. Today we are free. A great injustice was corrected and Indonesia itself has moved away from its turbulent past, and today is an impressive young democracy.

Last year, members of the East Timorese armed forces rebelled, sparking bloody clashes in Dili and forcing Australian military intervention. What is the situation today?

With the assistance of our neighbors and friends, we have been able to stabilize the situation. The country is almost back to normal, the economy is picking up, infrastructure is being built. But we need to thoroughly reform and reorganize our police force, improve the standards of our defense force, while at the same time investing massively in job creation to absorb the thousands of unemployed youth. I intend to push very hard for significant expenditures on the youth and the students, widows, orphans, the elderly. The events of 2006 were part of the process of nation-building. Our state was born in 2002 following years and years of traumatic experience. We have a traumatized nation. So violence can flare up easily as a result of this recent history.

The violence was sparked by old rivalries dating back to the 1970s?

Actually, the rivalries are a result of the failure of leadership and politicization of our police force ... and creating rivalries between the police and the Army. But I think it's an exaggeration to say that because of that, Timor Leste is a failing state. We're only five years old.

What will you do as president to foster peace and reconciliation? Will you use your constitutional powers, or just act as a moral force?

I'll be a moral force because I know many people look up to me. They listen. I will continue to use this trust to appeal to the people, particularly the youth, to forgo violence. As president, I will use every inch of my authority with Parliament and the government to allocate sufficient moneys for the youth. And we can do this because we have money from oil and gas.

Are you flush with cash? Then why haven't you spent any of the hundreds of millions of dollars you have in savings?

Right now in our fund we have $1.2 billion. An average of $100 million is transferred into that account per month. So we are very fortunate. We are not Kuwait or Brunei, but we have more than enough to kick-start the economy. And we can do it through simple things and wise things like direct cash transfers to the poor.

We want to save for the future, but that doesn't necessarily mean keeping the money in the bank. Saving for the future means spending it right now on our youth. They are the future. We have to pay for their schools; we have to pay for our students to study abroad. We have to provide them with Internet, sports, cultural facilities, with libraries.

What kind of jobs can you create to keep young people from roaming the streets in gangs and causing trouble?

I advocate massive forest-, water- and land-preservation programs that immediately create thousands of jobs. By planting trees, we save the environment and we create wealth for the future. Trees that we plant today, 15 or 20 years from now will be income for the country.

What has improved in East Timor that you aren't getting credit for?

In the past five years we have rebuilt more than 900 schools. TV coverage is now extended to most of the country, and telephone coverage now extends to most of the 13 districts. It's not world-class communications, but it works compared with a few years ago. Health coverage is far better than in 2002.

Ten years ago, you might have been arrested for setting foot in Indonesia. Today you are a visiting head of state. Are you amazed at how quickly things can change?

God, yes. Ten years passed by so fast. I am the greatest fan in the world of the Kennedys, and I often plagiarize Ted Kennedy's speech at the Democratic convention in 1980: "The dream shall never die." When we have ideas, convictions and dreams, do not give up on them. Work on them and they can be realized.

The news that East Timor may be considering setting up a composite defence force of some 3000 personnel has aroused a curious, and generally negative reaction here in Australia. Some of the comments border on the absurd – for example, the ridiculing of the size of the force and the need for 'such a small nation' to have a force of this size.

Well, East Timor is not really so small. It is several times the size of Singapore and Brunei, with fishing resources and potential marine exploration sites to protect. For this purpose little Brunei (just over 2,000 sq miles, or one-third the size of ETimor) has a force of some 7,000. And Fiji, which is smaller both in size and population, has a force of of 3,500. The question is not just about the size of the force, but its nature and its purpose. Not least it must be grounded in the constitutional discipline that assures East Timor that it will never again breach that neutrality so essential in a democracy. My view is that a force along the lines of a national guard might be considered – a force designed to support the Timorese people in the event of national disasters, as well as military threats, a force that could support the ongoing task of reconstruction.

Those who feel the East Timorese should be relying on the Australian presence should think again. Our forces may constitute a comforting presence, but this new nation has to have some defence capacity of its own, for it cannot be assumed that East Timor and Australia's national interests will always coincide. Certainly that did not happen in thepast, as we all so well knpw. As for the present, the Australian Government's lack of interest in bringing to justice`those TNI officers responsible for past atrocities is in itself a warning that our perceptions of national interest may not always place East Timor's interests ahead of expediency .

There has been criticism of the perceived need for helicopters, but their presence is of fundamental importance to emergency services, as well as surveillance, in Timor's mountainous terrain. As for plans for a navy, the vessels concerned should, I feel, be fast patrol vessels, rather than corvettes, which are expensive both to purchase and run.

Australia could assist the development of this force, rather than suggest that it is unnecessary. The development of such a force will take time – and money = but military assistance could make it affordable.

STL or Suara Timor Lorosa'e is a newspaper full of crap reflecting the intellectual capacity of its chief editors, Salvador Ximenes, Domingos Saldanha, et al. Ximenes and Saldanha are former autonomy supporters. Under Indonesia, they established this newspaper under the name Suara Timor Timur with the support of the Indonesian military. Suara Timor Timur became the Indonesian army's tool to propagate its propaganda and intimidate the East Timorese to submit to Indonesian rule.

STL has small column which it calls "Lidun" (corner in English). Lidun acts like an editorial piece quoting its subjects and then provides a short answer to it. The answers are meant to be provocative and carry a point. However, the fact is that these answers always fall into the absurd. Anyone will notice that this "corner" just reflects the intellectual deficit of the editorial team at STL.

Thus STL's "Lidun" on page 5 in its June 15th edition says:

"55-Lebo denied intimidating the population in Gleno.Why are Gleno residents taking refuge in the Borja Park, Motael?"

Then on page 6 STL reports that "Ermera refugees are growing in the Borza [sic] Park, Motael". The report cites the refugees, 81 of them, as saying that they had been forced to take refuge in Dili after coming under attack from the group Colimau 2000 and other groups belonging to the opposition parties. Some of them testified that their attackers yelled "Viva Ramos-Horta" as they launched their assault while others said that they were taken as prisoners for days. These refugees identify themselves as members and sympathisers of FRETILIN and have been under pressure to give up their support for Fretilin. They came from the villages of Lisapat and Urahou, areas known as Fretilin stronghold, in Ermera.

Colimau 2000 is a shadowy group based in the Maliana-Atsabe regions with suspected links to the former pro-Indonesia militia groups in West Timor. This group has caused much violence in and around the same region. A few years ago Colimau 2000 attacked villagers around Hatolia area. This event prompted the newly independent Timor-Leste government to deploy F-FDTL around the area and tens of members of Colimau 2000 were arrested and handed over to police (see the UNMISET press release at http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmiset/pr300103.pdf). However in April of 2006 this group came to prominence again. It is believed that Colimau 2000 high jacked the peaceful rally organised by the "Petitioners" group and kicked the wider conflict which nearly brought Timor-Leste to a civil war. Interestingly enough Colimau 2000 has since organised itself into a political party called PDRT (Partidu Democratica Republica de Timor) and will contest in the upcoming elections.

Reports of other attacks against supposed Fretilin supporters have also increased ever since the result for the presidential run-off was announced. Fretilin supporters in the districts of Liquiça, Oécusse and Ermera came under regular attacks by supporters of Partido Democratico (PD), Xanana's CNRT and a breakaway faction of Fretilin called "Mudansa". These attacks are well documented with the perpetrators well identified. However nothing has been put in place to stop the attacks or have the perpetrators arrested and bring them before a court.

55-Lebo is a group composed of former resistance fighters accused of being part of the group armed by the Fretilin government to act as its death squad to eliminate its political opponents. They are said to be hardcore Fretilin militants. There have accusations against them that they were terrorising the Ermera population to force them to vote Fretilin. It is a fact however that this group is linked to Fretilin and was organising Fretilin's campaign in Ermera area.

The Borja Park in Motael is the actual Jardim Borja da Costa, a park next to the Motael Church compound. There are already a lot of IDPs taking shelter at the church compound. The political-military crisis that occurred last year also pitted the "lorosa'e" against the "loromonu". The "lorosa'e" people were said to be politically aligned to Fretilin. They were also accused of collaborating with the F-FDTL to attack the "loromonu" people and drive them out of Dili. As it turned out, when the ISF was deployed in Dili and the F-FDTL retreated, the "loromonu" people gained upper hand and drove the "lorosa'e" residents of Dili out of their homes and into IDP camps. So, many of the IDP camp residents are "lorosae" and are commonly acknowledged as supporters of Fretilin. It would make anyone believe that these "lorosa'e" people would still hold some kind of resentment against the "loromonu" people after last year's conflict. After all it was them who drove the "lorosa'e" people out of their homes. But the situations around the camps have been peaceful. In fact there is mutual acceptance among the IDPs, after all they all sympathise with Fretilin.

By following the above information and then correlate it to the news as reported by STL on its page 6 would lead anyone to conclude that the Gleno refugees have nothing to do with the 55-Lebo group. The 55-Lebo group is in fact aligned to these refugees politically as all of them are linked to Fretilin. The refugees have been driven out of their homes in Ermera by groups opposed to Fretilin, namely Colimau 2000/PDRT and even members of PD and CNRT. It wouldn't make sense that the 55-Lebo group would be attacking some of its own.

However the STL editorial appears to suggest that somehow 55-Lebo is the principle cause of the refugees' displacement. It quotes the 55-Lebo as denying any intimidation from their part on the Gleno population then it asks the question as to why there are refugees from Gleno present in Dili. This rhetorical question puts the responsibility on the 55-Lebo group and ultimately to Fretilin; that 55-Lebo denies having being involved in any acts of intimidation yet the fact that there are refugees in Dili proves the opposite. In addition the report on the Ermera refugees is buried on page 6 in amongst other unrelated news reports. Anyone interested in politics and security, particularly on this issue, will have difficulty in noticing this article.

But STL is not only known for its incompetence and complete lack of professionalism. It is also known as a politically tendentious paper, specially its stance against Fretilin. It has been touted as the media wing for Fretilin's opponents much like the role of the private media in Venezuela in conjunction with the opposition groups in their crusade to overthrow President Hugo Chaves. This latest editorial by STL follows a steady stream of negative and often inflammatory articles and editorials against Fretilin. STL's articles and editorials are not only politically tendentious, but they are also marred with inaccuracies, inventions, rumours and gossips. This editorial piece is in fact attempting to accuse Fretilin and its members for what it is clearly a victim of. Members of Fretilin are attacked and groups linked to Fretilin are put on the spot to forcibly accept responsibility. Even when members of Fretilin are attacked, Fretilin is still accused as the attacker. STL knows that to make such direct link is next to impossible because no reader would believe in it. So STL puts out the tendentious editorial while buries the actual news somewhere in the middle of the page. Usually when Fretilin is accused of any type of attack, the report is revealed on the first page taking the most prominent headline.

It is obvious that STL's objective is not that of journalism and least of all to contribute to the development of democracy in Timor-Leste. Its ultimate objective is part of a wider agenda sponsored by the former pro-Indonesia East Timorese elites, be they in Timor-Leste or in Indonesia, to sabotage Timor-Leste move towards a successful and independent State. The fact that STL is run part of this self-serving elite is not a peculiarity but it fits perfectly well into this piece of conspiracy. If one takes a more profound look into the way STL has made its various reports in the past, there is a correlation between the eruption of conflicts and STL reports. This is no coincidence as the inflammatory, error-ridden and inaccurate reports that STL often put out became the focus for the eruption of new conflicts. For these former pro-Indonesia elites, destruction of Fretilin is also a goal in itself. If Fretilin is discredited and eliminated from the East Timorese politics, then the whole independence movement is also discredited and history can be rewritten to vindicate the self-serving pro-integration movement.

STL is obviously not an independent media institution but an organisation with a political agenda. It is not contributing to public information and development of democracy in Timor-Leste. In fact its whole existence and operation is designed to prevent Timor-Leste from developing into a nation truly democratic and independent. Its links to the former pro-Indonesia elites is a testament that the struggle for a truly independent, stable and viable Timor-Leste is far from over. Fretilin has been the only political organisation capable of defending the East Timorese right to independence and is steadfast on defending this right at any cost. Fretilin is a threat to people like Ximenes and Saldanha. However the results of the upcoming elections will be seen by these former pro-Indonesia elites as a victory, though a small one. A failed-state is their ultimate goal. STL should be placed under constant surveillance for the coming years.

Thank you for your comments. It was unfortunate that in addition to making a number of typographical errors (including the name of the president) the Jakarta Post changed the title of our op-ed from "A Modest Proposal Regarding East Timor." Our goal was truly modest: to challenge US diplomats here and in Dili to reconsider the reasons for their reluctance to send Indonesian-langage translations of American books to Dili.

It makes no sense to have a cellar full of books that are gathering dust in Jakarta when they could be put to good use in East Timor. That was our one and only point. I agree with you that Tetum needs to be developed as the national language of East Timor -- in fact I've tried to convince at least one international NGO that a high priority should be given to funding the development of a Tetum style book for journalists. But in the meantime, bahasa Indonesia is still a widely recognized language of trade (as JRH reaffirmed during his visit), and for that reason alone it seems silly to withhold from the Timorese books that have already been published and paid for with US taxpayer dollars.